Apocalypse: The Dead Lives
Chapter 43: The Messenger

Chapter 43: The Messenger

RONAN

I quietly sat at the head of the table. Ender was sitting across from me, his head resting in his hands.

He slowly raised his head to look at me. He looked over at the cafeteria doors which led outside.

"What do we do?" Ender asked in a tired voice.

"We wait." I blankly stated.

"What if they attack us?" He asked in concern.

"They won’t. Not yet."

"How would you know, Ronan?" He asked me this time sounding frustrated.

"My father was a lieutenant commander in the navy," I said and Ender’s eyebrows furrowed together. "He’s taught me a few things about war."

"What would he do if he was here?" Ender curiously wanted to know.

"He would’ve shot them. One by one. But we can’t do that, can we?" I asked Ender.

"And why not?"

"Because if we do, how are we any different than the army? How are we any different than my dad or that group that’s waiting for us outside?" I asked him, my eyes wild with confusion.

"You’re right." Ender nodded at me. "We have to be the change that this world needs." He continued.

"Are you sure they’ll stay outside the gates all night though? Won’t they attack us while we’re sleeping?" Ender asked me.

"No. They’re watching us. They’ll attack once they know it’s safe to do so."

"Very well. Our men will remain posted at the front gates." He informed me. "How’s the rescue mission for Hailey-Jade going?" He curiously questioned.

"I don’t know. I lost contact with Oliver last night. He must be out of range." I explained.

"And do you think he’s going to find her?" He asked, his voice curious yet careful.

"I don’t know. But I’ve been thinking about going after them and finding Hailey-Jade myself." I muttered in all honesty.

"Our enemies are right at our doorstep. How do you plan on leaving without them noticing you?" Ender challenged me.

I could easily make my way past our enemies without being noticed. I could just as easily find Hailey-Jade but I know she wouldn’t want me to follow her.

She wouldn’t want me looking for her. I swear it’s all I wanted to do. I could barely function without her here.

"Let’s just focus on the problem at hand," I told Ender and he smiled at me before nodding.

We sat in the empty cafeteria for a couple more hours, discussing and carefully planning our next move.

Once everything was ready and set into motion I made my way into the lobby.

"Ronan?" Shane, one of the guards, called my name, so I quickly made my way over to him.

"I’m listening."

"One of the guys down by the gate is asking for you. He said that he wants to talk to you. Alone." Shane explained and I frowned at him.

"He knows my name?" I asked Shane who nodded at me. He seemed worried and nervous.

"Do you want me to inform Ender?" He carefully asked.

"No." Was all I said before making my way outside.

A few curious heads turned in my direction as I started walking down to the gate. I quietly examined the RV that stood on the other side of the gate.

I stopped once I reached it. For a moment it was quiet. Almost too quiet.

Then the doors to the RV opened. Revealing a little girl. Her hair was dark and greasy and she was wearing old raggedy clothes. She slowly raised her head and I took a step back from her.

Serene...

I should’ve known it was them the moment Ender mentioned ’stealing supplies’ it’s their specialty.

"You need to leave, kid. I’m afraid I can’t let you get away with what you’ve done a second time around." I said and she let out a soft sigh.

"I don’t call the shots around here, Marlon does. I’m just a messenger." She softly uttered.

"So you have a message for me?" I asked, faking curiosity. Serene nodded at me before wildly looking over her shoulders.

"Take this, quick." She whispered before placing a note in my palm. I frowned at her, and she pressed her index finger to her lips, silently begging me not to say a word.

"Marlon said that if you’re not gone by first light he’s going to kill everyone." She said, fear lacing her every word.

"Tell Marlon to come outside and not hide behind a little girl like a pussy!" I loudly uttered but there was no movement inside the RV.

"He won’t come." Serene assured me. "But you shouldn’t piss him off." She warned me and I frowned at her.

"How did you know I was here? Have you been following us all this time?" I curiously asked her and she shook her head at me.

"Marlon heard one of the guards mentioning your name. That’s when I told them that I knew you. That you were part of one of the first groups we hit." She explained and I clenched my jaw in anger.

"I’m gonna make you pay for this," I told her, loud enough so that her entire group could hear me.

"Think about what I said." She said while gesturing to the note in my hand and I just stared at her in distaste. She quietly made her way into the RV and I turned around and walked back to the hotel.

I opened the note and carefully read what was written on it.

I don’t want to work for Marlon anymore. He hurts my mom when I don’t listen to him. Please help me, Ronan.

I angrily tossed the note aside before bursting into the hotel lobby.

If there’s one thing I hate in this world, it’s a coward. And this Marlon character sounds like a coward to me. Sending a child to do your dirty work is one thing, but blackmailing them when they don’t want to, you can’t get any lower than that.

"Sir, what’s the next step?" Shane asked me.

"Don’t call me that." I blankly stated. "Round up our men. We attack at first light." I instructed.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir- I mean Ronan?" He asked.

"Make sure that every gun is loaded and that every weapon is drawn by the time I get back," I told him.

"Yes, Sir." He uttered before walking away from me.

I went back into Ender’s office and found Kiara whispering something into Ender’s ear. He sat upright when he saw me and pulled his face in anger.

"Did you go out there without my knowledge?" He slowly asked me.

"I didn’t know I needed your permission," I uttered before frowning at him.

"They’re attacking us at first light," I stated and Ender got up from his chair before coming to stand in front of me.

"At first light? Well then we need to round up our troops-"

"Way ahead of you," I uttered and Ender smiled at me.

"Leave us." He told Kiara and she angrily glared at me as she made her way out of the office.

"What’s the plan?" Ender asked me with a smirk on his face.

"I’ll ask my brother to lead your people away from the hotel. Just until it’s safe. Until we’ve won this war. They’ll have to leave through the back and hide inside the woods for the time being."

"I’m with it." Ender proudly stated.

Together, we made our way out of his office. We left the hotel through the nearest exit and found Ender’s men standing in the courtyard, waiting for us.

Ready for war.